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William Holt

A transaction between merchant and customer.

Born 1737

Williamsburg landowner and entrepreneur

Died 1791

Area merchant and entrepreneur

William Holt was a merchant, entrepreneur, and landowner in Williamsburg, Yorktown,
and James City County. Holt was first noted as buying land in Williamsburg in
1760. In addition to operating a store in Williamsburg and owning a mill in
James City County, Holt imported African slaves for sale, arranged for the shipping
of tobacco, and sponsored with others the building of a causeway over Sandy
Bay. As a merchant and entrepreneur, Holt vigorously pursued his payments, and
in 1762 he brought 12 successful suits for debt in the York County Court.

Held various public positions

On November 16, 1761, Holt was added to the Commission of the Peace for York
County. He served there until he moved in 1771, when he became a justice for
James City County. As a justice, he took the list of tithes, supervised the
rebuilding of the tobacco warehouse and its road at Capitol Landing, examined
the scales and weights of the warehouse, and attended court sessions. In 1762,
Holt was made quarter master of Williamsburg's militia, and on December 17,
1776, he was appointed to the Admiralty Court by the Virginia legislature.

Birth of triplets noted in Virginia Gazette

William Holt's personal life is not well-documented. His parents are unknown.
Holt married twice and had at least six children. Three of his children were
triplets whose arrival was noted in the Virginia Gazette: "Last
Sunday evening, the spouse of Mr. William Holt, near this city, was delivered
of two stout boys and a girl, all well, and likely to continue so."